Mannings on test flight of private jet.
By: Kristy RAMNARINE (Guardian)
Government officials confirm Bombardier Global Express trip to Antigua last Saturday.
Less than 24-hours after Government announced it was shutting down State-owned airline BWIA, Prime Minister Patrick Manning went on a test flight of the executive private jet which the State is considering buying for a reported US$50 million.
Government officials yesterday confirmed that Manning, his wife Hazel and other officials were taken for a test flight aboard the Bombardier Global Express Jet last Saturday.
The Global Express is an ultra long-range business jet developed by Bombardier Aerospace, a subsidiary of the giant Canadian company which also builds and designs trains and transit systems.
Yesterday, a source close to the flight arrangements said Manning and his entourage boarded the aircraft from the old Piarco airport entrance. The party was flown north to Antigua. Without landing, the flight returned to Piarco just after noon.
The source said the prime ministerial party was served lunch by a Bombardier hostess.
It has been reported that Manning stopped using Coast Guard aircraft for trips following a scare he experienced during a flight from Barbados to Trinidad on January 8, 2005. The plane reportedly plummeted due to ice build-up on its wings.
Since then, Government has been leasing a private aircraft from Guardian Holdings Ltd. Sources said it costs US$24,000 to lease the GHL jet to Miami, but could not state the fees paid by Government.
In the works since 2004
The prospect of the Government’s possible acquisition of a private jet was first raised by reporters at a post-Cabinet news conference on February 5, 2004. It was raised in the context of a swirling controversy over a report of Manning’s acceptance of a flight in a private jet owned by Spanish oil giant Repsol.
Asked then whether it might not be appropriate for T&T to buy a private aircraft in light of the controversy, Manning said: “I could tell you that it is a question that is being discussed at certain levels of Caricom.”
The PM had said then that the use of private aircraft minimised the amount of time wasted in airports and waiting for flights.
Questioned on the cost of an executive jet, he added: “I can’t say. A feasibility study would have to be done.”
Unanswered
Only last week Tuesday, Government was expected to respond to a question posed in the Senate on the matter.
Opposition Senator Wade Mark had asked: “Could the Prime Minister state categorically if it is the intention of the government to purchase a private jet for the exclusive use of the holder of the office of the Prime Minister?
“If the answer is affirmative, would the Prime Minister further state: a.—the estimated cost of such an aircraft and b.—the procedure which would be followed to procure such an aircraft?”
Answer to the question was deferred to the next sitting of the Upper House on Tuesday.
Jet facts
The Global Express is an ultra long-range business jet, which was developed by Bombardier Aerospace.
It has a cruise speed just below sonic level at Mach 0.88 or 0.85 and is capable of using first class or secondary airports and basic short airfields in remote areas.
Global Express is certified by European (JAA and LBA) and North American (FAA and Transport Canada) airworthiness authorities.
Bombardier has developed the ultra long-range Bombardier Global Express XRS, which adds a forward fuel tank to extend the range to 11,390km (6,150 nautical miles) at Mach 0.85. The aircraft also has a new “zero flaps” take-off ability, which will allow access to more “hot and high” airports. The first flight of the aircraft took place in January 2005 and it entered service in December 2005.
